Companies are rushing to embrace artificial intelligence to cut costs, increase efficiency and better understand this new technology. IBM has replaced a couple hundred human resources workers with AI applications. At Microsoft and Google , AI writes more than one-quarter of the code. Writers can now use AI as their personal assistant and editor .
These reports have provoked untold worries that AI could ultimately replace us in the workplace. Indeed, unlike AI experts, only 23 percent of the general public recently surveyed believed that the technology would have a positive impact on jobs.
That’s partially because it’s still difficult to grasp how AI might affect U.S. labor markets.
When examining AI’s impact on job markets, some economists try to draw a line between automation and augmentation:
Automation happens when AI systems can independently carry out a task without human input. Augmentation means AI needs human supervision to complete a task, complementing the human worker. A recently published study examining the impact of AI on the U.S. labor market between 2015 and 2022 found that though AI-driven automation leads to lower wages and higher unemployment, AI-driven augmentation increases wages of more experienced workers and creates jobs in new areas.
Want to know whether AI will automate or augment your job? Researchers at Anthropic — the AI company behind Claude, one of the most popular AI assistants — created a dataset to measure the possibilities. They looked into 1 million text-based conversations between users and Claude at the end of 2024 and categorized each conversation into either an augmentative or automated task. They then mapped these tasks to more than 700 distinct occupations based on work characteristics . The data show that, on average, AI (in this case, Claude) was already either automating or augmenting some 25 percent of the day-to-day tasks across all jobs by the end of 2024. We are all in for an era of disruption.
Depending on what you do for a living, you might experience the impact of AI differently. Type in your job title below to find out. (If you don’t find your job, that means AI does not impact you yet, according to this dataset.)
Here’s where each of the more than 700 jobs falls into this automation vs. augmentation grid:
Automation Augmentation Computer programmers Computer programmers Software developers Software developers Web developers Web developers Software developers, applications Software developers, applications Network and computer systems administrators Network and computer systems administrators Tutors Tutors Software quality assurance engineers and testers Software quality assurance engineers and testers Computer systems analysts Computer systems analysts Bioinformatics technicians Bioinformatics technicians Instructional designers and technologists Instructional designers and technologists Technical writers Technical writers Web administrators Web administrators Actors Actors Computer and information research scientists Computer and information research scientists Clergy Clergy Statisticians Statisticians Copy writers Copy writers Computer systems engineers/architects Computer systems engineers/architects Database administrators Database administrators Translators Translators Database architects Database architects Archivists Archivists Computer numerically controlled machine tool programmers, metal and plastic Computer numerically controlled machine tool programmers, metal and plastic Editors Editors Office clerks, general Office clerks, general Poets, lyricists and creative writers Poets, lyricists and creative writers Multimedia artists and animators Multimedia artists and animators Computer hardware engineers Computer hardware engineers Librarians Librarians Data warehousing specialists Data warehousing specialists Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive Video game designers Video game designers College english language and literature teachers College english language and literature teachers Computer operators Computer operators Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators Historians Historians Mental health counselors Mental health counselors Education administrators, elementary and secondary school Education administrators, elementary and secondary school Credit counselors Credit counselors Educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors Educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors Business intelligence analysts Business intelligence analysts Public relations specialists Public relations specialists Dietitians and nutritionists Dietitians and nutritionists Bioinformatics scientists Bioinformatics scientists Mathematicians Mathematicians Word processors and typists Word processors and typists Clinical psychologists Clinical psychologists Vocational education teachers Vocational education teachers College foreign language and literature teachers College foreign language and literature teachers College biological science teachers College biological science teachers Statistical assistants Statistical assistants Political scientists Political scientists Craft artists Craft artists Correctional officers and jailers Correctional officers and jailers Anthropologists Anthropologists Graduate teaching assistants Graduate teaching assistants Search marketing strategists Search marketing strategists Fitness and wellness coordinators Fitness and wellness coordinators Clinical data managers Clinical data managers Astronomers Astronomers Library technicians Library technicians Art directors Art directors Chemists Chemists Financial quantitative analysts Financial quantitative analysts Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists Market research analysts and marketing specialists Market research analysts and marketing specialists Correspondence clerks Correspondence clerks Sales agents, securities and commodities Sales agents, securities and commodities Personal financial advisors Personal financial advisors Social science research assistants Social science research assistants Switchboard operators, including answering service Switchboard operators, including answering service Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop Computer network support specialists Computer network support specialists Civil engineering technicians Civil engineering technicians Adult basic and secondary education and literacy teachers and instructors Adult basic and secondary education and literacy teachers and instructors Cashiers Cashiers Industrial-organizational psychologists Industrial-organizational psychologists Document management specialists Document management specialists Geospatial information scientists and technologists Geospatial information scientists and technologists Security management specialists Security management specialists Patternmakers, wood Patternmakers, wood Operations research analysts Operations research analysts Security managers Security managers Financial analysts Financial analysts Self-enrichment education teachers Self-enrichment education teachers Mechanical engineering technologists Mechanical engineering technologists Biostatisticians Biostatisticians Accountants Accountants Instructional coordinators Instructional coordinators Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products Online merchants Online merchants Reporters and correspondents Reporters and correspondents Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants Interviewers, except eligibility and loan Interviewers, except eligibility and loan Desktop publishers Desktop publishers Mathematical technicians Mathematical technicians Biochemists and biophysicists Biochemists and biophysicists Survey researchers Survey researchers Curators Curators Chemical technicians Chemical technicians Informatics nurse specialists Informatics nurse specialists Archeologists Archeologists College recreation and fitness studies teachers College recreation and fitness studies teachers Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers Energy engineers Energy engineers Counter and rental clerks Counter and rental clerks Economists Economists Financial managers, branch or department Financial managers, branch or department Materials scientists Materials scientists Computer network architects Computer network architects Receptionists and information clerks Receptionists and information clerks Music composers and arrangers Music composers and arrangers Information security analysts Information security analysts Biological technicians Biological technicians Securities and commodities traders Securities and commodities traders Investment underwriters Investment underwriters Nurse practitioners Nurse practitioners Electronics engineering technicians Electronics engineering technicians Spa managers Spa managers Photonics engineers Photonics engineers Hydrologists Hydrologists Electronics engineering technologists Electronics engineering technologists Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers Pharmacists Pharmacists Real estate sales agents Real estate sales agents Public relations and fundraising managers Public relations and fundraising managers First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers Chief executives Chief executives Soil and plant scientists Soil and plant scientists Sociologists Sociologists Advanced practice psychiatric nurses Advanced practice psychiatric nurses Fundraisers Fundraisers Food science technicians Food science technicians Non-destructive testing specialists Non-destructive testing specialists Nanosystems engineers Nanosystems engineers College art, drama, and music teachers College art, drama, and music teachers Computer user support specialists Computer user support specialists Library assistants, clerical Library assistants, clerical Atmospheric and space scientists Atmospheric and space scientists Nuclear engineers Nuclear engineers Retail salespersons Retail salespersons Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products Tax preparers Tax preparers Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks Lawyers Lawyers College physics teachers College physics teachers Green marketers Green marketers Exercise physiologists Exercise physiologists Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks Critical care nurses Critical care nurses Investment fund managers Investment fund managers Advertising and promotions managers Advertising and promotions managers Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators Electronics engineers, except computer Electronics engineers, except computer College psychology teachers College psychology teachers Biologists Biologists Graphic designers Graphic designers Microsystems engineers Microsystems engineers College social work teachers College social work teachers Allergists and immunologists Allergists and immunologists Telecommunications engineering specialists Telecommunications engineering specialists College library science teachers College library science teachers Business continuity planners Business continuity planners Geographers Geographers Marriage and family therapists Marriage and family therapists Robotics engineers Robotics engineers Medical and clinical laboratory technicians Medical and clinical laboratory technicians Logistics engineers Logistics engineers Forest and conservation technicians Forest and conservation technicians College forestry and conservation science teachers College forestry and conservation science teachers Loan counselors Loan counselors Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes College history teachers College history teachers Epidemiologists Epidemiologists Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers Genetic counselors Genetic counselors Environmental scientists and specialists, including health Environmental scientists and specialists, including health Auditors Auditors Architectural and engineering managers Architectural and engineering managers Radiologists Radiologists College anthropology and archeology teachers College anthropology and archeology teachers College law teachers College law teachers Electrical engineers Electrical engineers Cooks, restaurant Cooks, restaurant Medical records and health information technicians Medical records and health information technicians Choreographers Choreographers Food scientists and technologists Food scientists and technologists College maths teachers College maths teachers Geographic information systems technicians Geographic information systems technicians Remote sensing technicians Remote sensing technicians Medical transcriptionists Medical transcriptionists Pathologists Pathologists Human factors engineers and ergonomists Human factors engineers and ergonomists Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers File clerks File clerks Music therapists Music therapists Loan officers Loan officers Human resources specialists Human resources specialists Biochemical engineers Biochemical engineers Physicists Physicists Risk management specialists Risk management specialists Patient representatives Patient representatives Architects, except landscape and naval Architects, except landscape and naval City and regional planning aides City and regional planning aides Geneticists Geneticists Computer and information systems managers Computer and information systems managers Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic Automotive engineers Automotive engineers Art therapists Art therapists Sales engineers Sales engineers Regulatory affairs specialists Regulatory affairs specialists Education administrators, preschool and childcare center/program Education administrators, preschool and childcare center/program Producers Producers Counseling psychologists Counseling psychologists First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers Environmental economists Environmental economists Microbiologists Microbiologists Set and exhibit designers Set and exhibit designers Naturopathic physicians Naturopathic physicians Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping Dietetic technicians Dietetic technicians Photographers Photographers Medical and health services managers Medical and health services managers Intelligence analysts Intelligence analysts Audio-visual and multimedia collections specialists Audio-visual and multimedia collections specialists Demonstrators and product promoters Demonstrators and product promoters First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers Teacher assistants Teacher assistants Directors- stage, motion pictures, television, and radio Directors- stage, motion pictures, television, and radio Insurance policy processing clerks Insurance policy processing clerks Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders Court reporters Court reporters Midwives Midwives Tour guides and escorts Tour guides and escorts Clinical nurse specialists Clinical nurse specialists Real estate brokers Real estate brokers Nurse midwives Nurse midwives Customer service representatives Customer service representatives Clinical research coordinators Clinical research coordinators Treasurers and controllers Treasurers and controllers Actuaries Actuaries Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers Broadcast news analysts Broadcast news analysts Nursery workers Nursery workers Police patrol officers Police patrol officers Judicial law clerks Judicial law clerks Advertising sales agents Advertising sales agents Film and video editors Film and video editors Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education Industrial ecologists Industrial ecologists Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school College atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers College atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers Medical and clinical laboratory technologists Medical and clinical laboratory technologists Photographic process workers and processing machine operators Photographic process workers and processing machine operators Transportation planners Transportation planners Education teachers Education teachers Logistics analysts Logistics analysts Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers Molecular and cellular biologists Molecular and cellular biologists Farm and home management advisors Farm and home management advisors Marketing managers Marketing managers Directors, religious activities and education Directors, religious activities and education Distance learning coordinators Distance learning coordinators Food batchmakers Food batchmakers Climate change analysts Climate change analysts Elementary school teachers, except special education Elementary school teachers, except special education Electrical engineering technicians Electrical engineering technicians College engineering teachers College engineering teachers Funeral service managers Funeral service managers Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education Landscape architects Landscape architects Audio and video equipment technicians Audio and video equipment technicians Logisticians Logisticians Financial examiners Financial examiners Meeting, convention, and event planners Meeting, convention, and event planners Special education teachers, secondary school Special education teachers, secondary school Paralegals and legal assistants Paralegals and legal assistants Ophthalmologists Ophthalmologists Eligibility interviewers, government programs Eligibility interviewers, government programs Nuclear medicine physicians Nuclear medicine physicians Singers Singers Medical scientists, except epidemiologists Medical scientists, except epidemiologists Medical secretaries Medical secretaries College philosophy and religion teachers College philosophy and religion teachers Physical therapists Physical therapists Concierges Concierges Information technology project managers Information technology project managers College environmental science teachers College environmental science teachers Customs brokers Customs brokers Low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists Low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists Travel guides Travel guides Urban and regional planners Urban and regional planners College sociology teachers College sociology teachers Municipal clerks Municipal clerks Health educators Health educators Freight forwarders Freight forwarders School psychologists School psychologists Environmental science and protection technicians, including health Environmental science and protection technicians, including health Career/technical education teachers, middle school Career/technical education teachers, middle school Zoologists and wildlife biologists Zoologists and wildlife biologists Nuclear medicine technologists Nuclear medicine technologists Transportation managers Transportation managers Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers Acute care nurses Acute care nurses College area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers College area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers Electrical engineering technologists Electrical engineering technologists Credit checkers Credit checkers Insurance sales agents Insurance sales agents Personal care aides Personal care aides College political science teachers College political science teachers Office machine operators, except computer Office machine operators, except computer Museum technicians and conservators Museum technicians and conservators Court clerks Court clerks Career/technical education teachers, secondary school Career/technical education teachers, secondary school Mechatronics engineers Mechatronics engineers Residential advisors Residential advisors Telemarketers Telemarketers College computer science teachers College computer science teachers Nanotechnology engineering technologists Nanotechnology engineering technologists Broadcast technicians Broadcast technicians Dentists, general Dentists, general Jewelers Jewelers First-line supervisors of retail sales workers First-line supervisors of retail sales workers General and operations managers General and operations managers Agricultural technicians Agricultural technicians Special education teachers, preschool Special education teachers, preschool Psychiatrists Psychiatrists Physician assistants Physician assistants Immigration and customs inspectors Immigration and customs inspectors Transportation engineers Transportation engineers College geography teachers College geography teachers Human resources managers Human resources managers College education administrators College education administrators Fashion designers Fashion designers Preschool teachers, except special education Preschool teachers, except special education Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers Management analysts Management analysts Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products Obstetricians and gynecologists Obstetricians and gynecologists Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates Pediatricians, general Pediatricians, general Makeup artists, theatrical and performance Makeup artists, theatrical and performance Special education teachers, middle school Special education teachers, middle school Training and development managers Training and development managers Respiratory therapists Respiratory therapists Logistics managers Logistics managers College home economics teachers College home economics teachers Property, real estate, and community association managers Property, real estate, and community association managers College communications teachers College communications teachers Machinists Machinists College criminal justice and law enforcement teachers College criminal justice and law enforcement teachers College economics teachers College economics teachers Compensation and benefits managers Compensation and benefits managers College health specialties teachers College health specialties teachers Proofreaders and copy markers Proofreaders and copy markers Mechanical engineers Mechanical engineers Talent directors Talent directors Cooks, fast food Cooks, fast food Parts salespersons Parts salespersons Sustainability specialists Sustainability specialists Veterinarians Veterinarians Natural sciences managers Natural sciences managers Marine engineers Marine engineers Surveyors Surveyors Purchasing managers Purchasing managers Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents College business teachers College business teachers Loss prevention managers Loss prevention managers Construction managers Construction managers Billing, cost, and rate clerks Billing, cost, and rate clerks Labor relations specialists Labor relations specialists Cardiovascular technologists and technicians Cardiovascular technologists and technicians Regulatory affairs managers Regulatory affairs managers College chemistry teachers College chemistry teachers Acupuncturists Acupuncturists Security and fire alarm systems installers Security and fire alarm systems installers Methane/landfill gas generation system technicians Methane/landfill gas generation system technicians Mental health and substance abuse social workers Mental health and substance abuse social workers Family and general practitioners Family and general practitioners Internists, general Internists, general College agricultural sciences teachers College agricultural sciences teachers College nursing instructors and teachers College nursing instructors and teachers Commercial and industrial designers Commercial and industrial designers Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping License clerks License clerks Automotive engineering technicians Automotive engineering technicians College architecture teachers College architecture teachers Equal opportunity representatives and officers Equal opportunity representatives and officers Training and development specialists Training and development specialists Massage therapists Massage therapists Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers Architectural drafters Architectural drafters Radio and television announcers Radio and television announcers Prepress technicians and workers Prepress technicians and workers First-line supervisors of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand First-line supervisors of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand Geological sample test technicians Geological sample test technicians Biomedical engineers Biomedical engineers Budget analysts Budget analysts Cytogenetic technologists Cytogenetic technologists Production, planning, and expediting clerks Production, planning, and expediting clerks Healthcare social workers Healthcare social workers Speech-language pathology assistants Speech-language pathology assistants Nanotechnology engineering technicians Nanotechnology engineering technicians Construction and building inspectors Construction and building inspectors Chief sustainability officers Chief sustainability officers Musicians, instrumental Musicians, instrumental Pipe fitters and steamfitters Pipe fitters and steamfitters Childcare workers Childcare workers Agricultural inspectors Agricultural inspectors Loan interviewers and clerks Loan interviewers and clerks Robotics technicians Robotics technicians Legislators Legislators Sales managers Sales managers First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic Food preparation workers Food preparation workers Retail loss prevention specialists Retail loss prevention specialists Chefs and head cooks Chefs and head cooks Interior designers Interior designers Occupational therapy assistants Occupational therapy assistants Pharmacy aides Pharmacy aides Government property inspectors and investigators Government property inspectors and investigators Solar sales representatives and assessors Solar sales representatives and assessors Fraud examiners, investigators and analysts Fraud examiners, investigators and analysts Chemical engineers Chemical engineers Quality control analysts Quality control analysts Orthoptists Orthoptists Industrial machinery mechanics Industrial machinery mechanics Validation engineers Validation engineers Aerospace engineers Aerospace engineers Water/wastewater engineers Water/wastewater engineers Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining Electrical drafters Electrical drafters Assessors Assessors Agricultural engineers Agricultural engineers Baggage porters and bellhops Baggage porters and bellhops Chiropractors Chiropractors Social and community service managers Social and community service managers Bill and account collectors Bill and account collectors First-line supervisors of personal service workers First-line supervisors of personal service workers Helpers--production workers Helpers--production workers Environmental engineers Environmental engineers Licensing examiners and inspectors Licensing examiners and inspectors Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers Coaches and scouts Coaches and scouts Compliance managers Compliance managers Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors Electromechanical engineering technologists Electromechanical engineering technologists Drywall and ceiling tile installers Drywall and ceiling tile installers Solar photovoltaic installers Solar photovoltaic installers Appraisers, real estate Appraisers, real estate Plumbers Plumbers Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers Amusement and recreation attendants Amusement and recreation attendants Legal secretaries Legal secretaries Remote sensing scientists and technologists Remote sensing scientists and technologists Adapted physical education specialists Adapted physical education specialists Bus drivers, school or special client Bus drivers, school or special client Cost estimators Cost estimators Pharmacy technicians Pharmacy technicians Magnetic resonance imaging technologists Magnetic resonance imaging technologists Soil and water conservationists Soil and water conservationists Electro-mechanical technicians Electro-mechanical technicians Industrial engineering technicians Industrial engineering technicians Histotechnologists and histologic technicians Histotechnologists and histologic technicians Travel agents Travel agents Insurance claims clerks Insurance claims clerks Molding and casting workers Molding and casting workers First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers Athletic trainers Athletic trainers Payroll and timekeeping clerks Payroll and timekeeping clerks Cartographers and photogrammetrists Cartographers and photogrammetrists Industrial engineering technologists Industrial engineering technologists Preventive medicine physicians Preventive medicine physicians Sales agents, financial services Sales agents, financial services Nuclear equipment operation technicians Nuclear equipment operation technicians Radio frequency identification device specialists Radio frequency identification device specialists Neurodiagnostic technologists Neurodiagnostic technologists Power distributors and dispatchers Power distributors and dispatchers Costume attendants Costume attendants Bartenders Bartenders Kindergarten teachers, except special education Kindergarten teachers, except special education Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants Postmasters and mail superintendents Postmasters and mail superintendents Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks Maintenance and repair workers, general Maintenance and repair workers, general Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products Construction carpenters Construction carpenters Insurance underwriters Insurance underwriters Farm and ranch managers Farm and ranch managers First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers Aquacultural managers Aquacultural managers Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors Cement masons and concrete finishers Cement masons and concrete finishers Speech-language pathologists Speech-language pathologists Animal scientists Animal scientists Storage and distribution managers Storage and distribution managers Medical equipment repairers Medical equipment repairers Manufacturing production technicians Manufacturing production technicians Manufacturing engineers Manufacturing engineers Manufacturing engineering technologists Manufacturing engineering technologists Photonics technicians Photonics technicians Merchandise displayers and window trimmers Merchandise displayers and window trimmers Fuel cell engineers Fuel cell engineers Nannies Nannies Precious metal workers Precious metal workers Nursery and greenhouse managers Nursery and greenhouse managers Airfield operations specialists Airfield operations specialists Order clerks Order clerks Ship and boat captains Ship and boat captains Neuropsychologists and clinical neuropsychologists Neuropsychologists and clinical neuropsychologists Tree trimmers and pruners Tree trimmers and pruners Community health workers Community health workers Insurance adjusters, examiners, and investigators Insurance adjusters, examiners, and investigators Couriers and messengers Couriers and messengers Optometrists Optometrists Tool and die makers Tool and die makers Tellers Tellers Environmental engineering technicians Environmental engineering technicians Criminal investigators and special agents Criminal investigators and special agents Music directors Music directors Geophysical data technicians Geophysical data technicians Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians Recreational therapists Recreational therapists Gaming cage workers Gaming cage workers Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers Social and human service assistants Social and human service assistants Radio operators Radio operators Power plant operators Power plant operators Civil engineers Civil engineers Waiters and waitresses Waiters and waitresses Mechanical engineering technicians Mechanical engineering technicians Water resource specialists Water resource specialists Industrial engineers Industrial engineers Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers Bakers Bakers Data entry keyers Data entry keyers Traffic technicians Traffic technicians Solar energy installation managers Solar energy installation managers Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay Precision agriculture technicians Precision agriculture technicians Biomass power plant managers Biomass power plant managers Food service managers Food service managers Avionics technicians Avionics technicians Automotive and watercraft service attendants Automotive and watercraft service attendants Driver/sales workers Driver/sales workers Nursing assistants Nursing assistants Recycling coordinators Recycling coordinators Dental hygienists Dental hygienists Audiologists Audiologists Private detectives and investigators Private detectives and investigators Fish and game wardens Fish and game wardens Neurologists Neurologists Gaming managers Gaming managers Barbers Barbers Brokerage clerks Brokerage clerks Procurement clerks Procurement clerks Occupational health and safety technicians Occupational health and safety technicians Air traffic controllers Air traffic controllers Tile and marble setters Tile and marble setters Nuclear monitoring technicians Nuclear monitoring technicians Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles Automotive master mechanics Automotive master mechanics Home health aides Home health aides Skincare specialists Skincare specialists Insurance appraisers, auto damage Insurance appraisers, auto damage Sound engineering technicians Sound engineering technicians Radiologic technologists Radiologic technologists Child, family, and school social workers Child, family, and school social workers Veterinary technologists and technicians Veterinary technologists and technicians Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses Food servers, nonrestaurant Food servers, nonrestaurant Electricians Electricians Transportation attendants, except flight attendants Transportation attendants, except flight attendants Maids and housekeeping cleaners Maids and housekeeping cleaners Electronic drafters Electronic drafters Geothermal technicians Geothermal technicians Funeral attendants Funeral attendants Shampooers Shampooers Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks Aircraft mechanics and service technicians Aircraft mechanics and service technicians Security guards Security guards Environmental restoration planners Environmental restoration planners Transportation security screeners Transportation security screeners Petroleum engineers Petroleum engineers Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines Credit authorizers Credit authorizers Ophthalmic laboratory technicians Ophthalmic laboratory technicians Printing press operators Printing press operators Conveyor operators and tenders Conveyor operators and tenders Gas plant operators Gas plant operators Emergency management directors Emergency management directors Heating and air conditioning mechanics and installers Heating and air conditioning mechanics and installers Weatherization installers and technicians Weatherization installers and technicians Wind energy project managers Wind energy project managers Geothermal production managers Geothermal production managers Flight attendants Flight attendants Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders Medical assistants Medical assistants Phlebotomists Phlebotomists Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers Cooks, short order Cooks, short order Home appliance repairers Home appliance repairers Forensic science technicians Forensic science technicians Stock clerks, sales floor Stock clerks, sales floor Farmworkers and laborers, crop Farmworkers and laborers, crop Sheet metal workers Sheet metal workers Millwrights Millwrights Public address system and other announcers Public address system and other announcers Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators Refrigeration mechanics and installers Refrigeration mechanics and installers Radiologic technicians Radiologic technicians Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners Locomotive engineers Locomotive engineers Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture Hazardous materials removal workers Hazardous materials removal workers Subway and streetcar operators Subway and streetcar operators Nonfarm animal caretakers Nonfarm animal caretakers Environmental compliance inspectors Environmental compliance inspectors Hospitalists Hospitalists Crossing guards Crossing guards Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance Telecommunications line installers and repairers Telecommunications line installers and repairers Automotive specialty technicians Automotive specialty technicians Registered nurses Registered nurses Laundry and dry-cleaning workers Laundry and dry-cleaning workers Sports medicine physicians Sports medicine physicians Railroad conductors and yardmasters Railroad conductors and yardmasters Landscaping and groundskeeping workers Landscaping and groundskeeping workers Technical directors/managers Technical directors/managers ← More job functions augmented More job functions → automated Share of job functions that AI can augment Share of job functions that AI can automate Each circle represents one job Each circle represents one job Computer and math jobs Educators and librarians What can we see from this grid?
AI affects different jobs in different ways. Some, such as programmers and translators, are at a higher risk of being automated by AI. Others, such as college professors, could be augmented.
Meanwhile, educators and librarians get the highest augmentation scores — 40 percent of their job tasks can be augmented by AI.
Amid this chaotic forecast, a piece of good news: For almost all jobs, the use of AI for augmentation — for now — remains much higher than that for automation. This seems to indicate that AI could, at least in the short term, prove more useful than disastrous.
The researchers at Anthropic noted a few limitations of the dataset: Because the analysis includes only text-based conversations, it underestimates the impact of AI when it’s used to generate images or videos for jobs such as fashion or interior designers. The U.S.-based job mapping might overlook jobs from outside the country. And, most important, the data give strong evidence of how people used AI systems at the end of 2024, but long-term consequences are harder to predict as AI gets more capable and regulatory changes take place.
Though this dataset gives us a rare and unprecedented window into how advanced AI systems are reshaping the workforce, it covers only a week of data from one AI company, Anthropic. Founded in 2021 by an ex-OpenAI employee , Anthropic prides itself on putting AI safety at the core of its research. Managing AI models that are about to disrupt the labor market in big ways — and being transparent about such disruptions — is a challenge for all AI firms.
Lessons from tech The tech industry has been one of the first to feel the impacts of AI on its workforce. About 56 percent of tasks in computer and math jobs can be either automated or augmented, according to Anthropic, and they largely skew toward automation.
In the United States, more than 6 million people, or about 3.8 percent of the labor force, are tech workers. These jobs have been recession-resistant, highly-paid and desirable. But now, they are among the most affected by AI. That’s because AI has become really good at writing code : The same group of researchers found that when used for coding, AI can complete almost 80 percent of the tasks without human input.
It’s possible that the whole sector of AI would create new jobs in the tech industry as productivity increases and demand goes up. An entirely new category of coders, such as AI security developers and ethics engineers, could emerge. But, for the moment, its likely causing more layoffs than new hires.
How can you prepare? 1. Stay on top of the technology. You want to stay informed of capabilities of AI by using it and seeing firsthand how it automates or augments your daily tasks. Many of us have already been using AI for activities such as getting recipes, planning vacations, seeking advice and making exercise plans. You also want to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses across different models, their inherent biases that can amplify those in the real world and potential privacy risks . Read widely on the topic to deepen your understanding. Read both the praises and warnings.
2. Proactively use AI at work. Most people can use AI to augment their jobs already — but might be reluctant to do so. You can expedite research and more effectively communicate by using AI as your personal assistant. If your work requires reasoning, ask it to check your logic. You can even ask AI itself for advice on how to prepare for changes in your own area of expertise.
Artificial intelligence is like a tsunami, powerful and unavoidable. But it will not crash into everyone in the same way. The best survival strategy is to seek higher ground. That means rising above fear and ignorance and moving toward information and understanding. Learning to use the tools for your benefit is a good first step. People who adapt and position themselves in areas that require human judgment, creativity and ethics are more likely to survive — and some might even thrive.
Methodology
We used Anthropic’s open dataset to calculate each occupation’s share of tasks automated by AI and augmented by AI. In addition to weighing the tasks by prevalence in conversations with Claude, we also accounted for the tasks for each occupation that do not exist in these conversations. This additional analysis makes sure our results reflect the AI usage in reality.